Photos: Left top and bottom, era scenes showing the beach and bath house. Right bottom, moonlite scene on a warm summer's night 1920.

A park along the shores of Lake Michigan became a reality in 1903, with the purchase of 3½ acres of property on the lake, at a cost of just over $13,000. The primary purpose of this land was to locate a pumping station for city water, which would not materialize until sometime later.

In August of 1915 a bath house was constructed on this site at a price of $25,000. Bonds were issued by the city for this project, with the proceeds from the bath house being used to retire the bonds. This building was beautifully designed and was well equipped in every way. The structure was divided into two sections, one for women and one for men. Each of these sections contained 619 lockers, dressing rooms, showers and toilet facilities.

During the warm summer days over 3,000 sun worshippers and swimmers would converge on the bath house and the adjoining white sandy beach of the park. Making it quite a popular area retreat. This beautifully wooded park land also included, pavilions, picnic tables, benches, water fountains and drinking fountains for use by the public.

Parking was located near the entrance and was capable of holding approximately 400 autos. Two surface streets, Calumet Avenue and Sheffield Avenue, were a direct route to the park. Along with this, Hammond street cars would stop within a block of the beach, to drop off passengers.

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Source information and photos from the Hammond Historical Society located at the Hammond Public Library.

Twentieth Century Time Capsule © 1999 HammondIndiana.com

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